In mixed weather conditions which saw the 50 minute qualifying session for round four of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship start in damp conditions,the threatened rain didnt materialise and the 21 year old Yorkshireman timed it to perfection as he posted fourth fastest time in the dying minutes of the session.

Meanwhile team mate Shane "Shakey" Byrne will start tomorrows two 17-lappers from row two of the grid having held on to a provisional front row start for much of the session but in the end had to settle for sixth position aboard the VK backed Honda Fireblade.

Tom Sykes:"Thats more like it! I thought I had thrown it away on my flying lap when I got held up by another rider and had to roll it off to try and get a third lap and although I'd had the best out of the rear tyre, I stuck my neck out and it was spot on. I am really happy with a front row start, the team has worked hard and I am really confident with my race set up so we are hoping to be up there tomorrow".

Shane Byrne: "There wasnt a single lap where I didnt have to pass omeone. Its a difficult balance between stuffing someone up the inside and losing time because of it and backing off a little bit and making sure you get a good run on the others, but unfortunately I didnt get either of those today, so I am really frustrated. I hope we can get a good start and get away at the front tomorrow".

Paul Bird: "Tom's qualifying was excellent especially given that it's his first time here on a Superbike, it's one of the hardest circuits and I'm still trying to work out how he got three laps out of his qualifier! Tom has a mature head on his young shoulders and that backed up by a good second row from Shakey puts us in good stead for Monday's races".

The first 17 lap race gets underway at 13:00 followed by the second one at 16:10 which is live on ITV4.